Bagbin Summons MPs To Return To Parliament On September 3 2024

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has officially summoned Members of Parliament to reconvene on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.

The decision follows a petition from the Majority Leader, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, requesting an urgent recall of the House to deliberate on pressing government business,reports.

In a response issued on Wednesday, August 7, Speaker Bagbin said that a thorough review of the matters outlined in the request from the Majority Leader indicated that they do not meet the threshold established by Article 112 of the Constitution.

"Most of the issues, including the $250 million IDA financing agreement, were already tabled before the House prior to the adjournment on 30th July 2024. The fact that these matters were already under consideration by Parliament and, in the case of the IDA Financing Agreement, were even subjected to debate and rejected, undermines the essence of the request for a recall," the Speaker noted.

He further pointed out that several of the bills listed in the petition are still under consideration by committees, and official reports from July 30 indicate a lack of enthusiasm, even among members of the Majority, to address the same businesses.

Bagbin emphasized that while Article 112 (1) of the constitution empowers him to designate the place for Parliament to conduct its business, the current logistical situation poses a significant test.

He highlighted the unavailability of the parliamentary chamber and the poor condition of the Accra International Conference Centre as key obstacles in finding a suitable venue for the meeting.

“Relying on this constitutional provision and noting the unavailability of the Chamber of the House as stated above, the poor state of the Accra International Conference Centre, the Speaker has a practical test to appoint a place suitable for a parliamentary meeting,” Bagbin explained.

In light of these obstacles, Bagbin announced that Parliament will reconvene on September 3, 2024, at a venue to be communicated once arrangements are finalized.

He acknowledged that this situation makes it impossible to fully comply with Order 53 of the Standing Orders of Parliament, the report added.

NAY/AE